Location

Within the premises of Saffron Walden County High School, which is about a 10–15 minute walk from the town centre. The building that houses the cinema is accessed via the rear of the premises, through a door opposite the school's playing field.

The building

A single-screen cinema, Saffron Screen is housed within a functioning school hall. A small box-office area leads directly into the auditorium, at the front of which a team of staff and volunteers sell refreshments, popcorn, and snacks before films are shown. The cinema boasts a full-size screen, and a seating area that can accommodate up to 200 people. Films are screened using either a professional digital projector from a digital server, or occasionally, a 35mm projector when digital prints are not available.

The clientele

Unlike some independent cinemas in major cities, Saffron Screen is not the exclusive hangout of the hip and trendy, but rather a community-driven venture, catering to a varied mix of people from the local area, both young and old alike. The cinema's programme has a balance of films that draw in both kids and adults, with a particular nod to family-oriented events and more highbrow screenings. For particularly major releases, they also provide special subtitled screenings for the hard of hearing, and audio description on all films where available.

The programme

Squeezed around school opening hours, Saffron Screen is normally only open to the public at the weekend and on Monday evenings – although extra screenings are common during school holidays. It nevertheless boasts a varied programme of art-house and independent cinema, alongside mainstream releases. Included in the programme are special screenings – live broadcasts of National Theatre and Royal Opera House shows, and orchestral recitals – and talks from film directors and critics. They also host a range of other special events, including competitions and workshops for aspiring local film-makers – and recently even organised a large-scale outdoor screening on Saffron Walden town common.

Further comments

As a single-screen cinema housed within a local school, the scope of Saffron Screen obviously seems somewhat modest when compared to its multiplex competitors in nearby Cambridge. However, the real strength of this particular cinema lies in its community-driven and proudly independent attitude, and in the attention staff give to providing a quality experience to cinemagoers.

Saffron Screen is run by a dedicated team of part-time staff and unpaid volunteers, who come from all sectors of the community. Volunteers act as both front-of-house staff and projectionists, and for their time and effort, receive work experience, training, and free access to film screenings.

A volunteer projectionist, I can say that the team focuses on quality over quantity. They have invested in top-of-the-range equipment – and devote a great deal of attention to the training of their staff and volunteers, so they can properly work with film and operate cinema equipment. The core team behind Saffron Screen exude a real passion and enthusiasm for the venture, and for film more broadly – and it shows!

This is a cinema that punches well above its weight with a programme of mainstream and art-house films, special events, and a refreshing community-led attitude. Saffron Screen feels like a cinema run by the local community, for the local community. And in a way that no multiplex chain could, it feels as though it has made a truly positive impact on the life and culture of this small Essex town.